Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races At Laguna Seca

Infamous Corkscrew turn at Luguna Seca full of Lamborghini Huracan cars prepared to race in the IMSA sanctioned Super Trofeo series. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races at Laguna Seca

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo series has been campaigned in North America since 2013.  The car used exclusively in the series is the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo which is brand new for 2018.  New bodywork combines functionality and style.  The front diffuser directs airflow to the rear wing giving proper down force in all driving situations.  The two air scoops normally found on the road going version have been refined into a single scoop that improves aerodynamics.  Finally a shark fin dramatically improves the handling at high speed, especially in corners.

Like many single car series popular today, the drivers are classified in either one of three classes: PRO, PRO-AM, and AM, each driver not only competing within their class but also for the overall championship.  All of these skill levels are competing on the track at the same time in equally competitive machines. The PRO and PRO-AM classes require two drivers and a driver change during the race.  The AM drivers do not have co-drivers but are still required to do a pit stop.

Race day on Saturday dawned a bit foggy and cool.  By race time the weather was warming up and it was a beautiful fall morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  The race started with Loris Spinelli in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward leading the field.

Pro-Am Class winners and eventual 2018 Class Champions Loris Spinelli and JC Perez in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

About 6 minutes into the race, Sheena Monk in the No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car came flying up the hill from Turn 6, just threading her way through two cars braking for the famous corkscrew. Apparently without slowing she went straight into the gravel, hitting a small bump that catapulted her car into the upper tires barely missing the K-rail.  Upon hitting the tires the car summersaulted backwards back onto the gravel impacting on its nose.  The car did exactly what it was designed to do and much of the inertia was dispelled with the disintegration of the bodywork.

Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car driven by Sheena Monk moments after impacting the tire barrier in the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the first Lamborghini Trofeo race.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This immediately produced a red flag and course workers and medical personnel were quick to respond.  Ms. Monk was conscious following the crash and, due to her injuries it was deemed best if the car was cut apart in order to extract her without further injuries. It has been reported that she suffered a fractured pelvis. 

With 12 minutes remaining the green flag was dropped and the pit window opened.  Most of the leaders decided to pit but Edoardo Piscopo in the No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills stayed out and assumed the lead.  

The race winning and eventual 2018 PRO Class Champion No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills being driven by Edoardo Piscopo and Taylor Proto after exiting the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during Race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With just two minutes remaining he dashed into the pits and Taylor Proto took over the car. While in the pits, and still in the lead, the No. 33 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus driven by Cameron Cassels spun in Turn 5 bringing out a full course yellow.

Proto took the checkerd flag extending their PRO class lead.  Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi in the No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach was second while Corey Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte was third.

The overall 2nd Place finishing No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach driven by Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi exiting the corkscrew during race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

By winning the PRO-AM class Loris Spinelli and JC Perez  secured the 2018 Class Championship. 

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class.

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class and is shown at the top of the corkscrew leading the No. 09 US RaceTronics,  Lamborghini Beverly Hills driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Fortunately the race on Sunday was much less spectacular.  Passing the leading No. 1 Wayne Taylor, Lamborghini Paramas car driven by Trent Hindman,  Loris Spinelli driving the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward car took over the lead late in the race and won with a three second margin. 

The No. 09 AM Class winning car driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Finishing 2nd overall Trent Hindman and Johnathan Cecotto claimed the PRO class win. 

3rd place overall went to Cory Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte car.

The AM class win went to D. Okey driving the 09 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills car.

TAGS: Lamborghini Trofeo, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo, Motor Driven Images,  Sheena Monk, Wayne Taylor Racing, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca